Defeating the Third Raikage!
Saving the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki and a strong candidate for the future Fourth Hokage!
What an incredible achievement!
"Zaraki Kenpachi... Seireitei..." The Third Hokage mulled over these two unfamiliar terms, then looked at Liuyu. "Liuyu, your master..."
"My master travels the world. He sensed I was in danger and appeared to help me. He has since left." Liuyu made up the story without batting an eye. "As for Seireitei, my master never said much about it."
The Third Hokage gave him a long look but did not press him.
Everyone had secrets.
As long as a secret posed no threat to Konoha, and might even benefit it, he did not mind.
"What happened today is to be classified as Konoha's highest-level secret. No one is to speak of it outside this room."
The Third Hokage looked around at everyone, especially Shimura Danzō. "The Raikage infiltrated Konoha and tried to abduct a Jinchūriki. Kumogakure must answer for this.
"But now is not the time to escalate the situation. We'll discuss the details once we're back in the village."
"Yes!" everyone replied.
"Let's return to the village."
The next day, at the Hokage Office.
The Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at the report in his hands, silent for a long time.
The report detailed the previous night's events, as well as Liuyu's earlier performance in the Chunin Ninja Exams and his record-breaking run through the Forest of Death.
His overwhelming victory in the preliminaries, Hatake Sakumo's change of heart, and even the "Eye of the Heart" from the graduation exam...
It all pointed to the same boy.
Uchiha Ryūha.
Eleven years old, and less than two months out of the Academy.
Yet he had already stirred up a storm in Konoha.
"What do you all think?" The Third Hokage set down the report and looked at the others in the office.
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura furrowed their brows.
Shimura Danzō's expression remained blank, but the chill in his single eye was almost palpable.
Uchiha Fugaku struggled to contain his excitement and keep his composure.
"The boy is exceptionally gifted and levelheaded. More importantly, he feels a sense of belonging to the village and has repeatedly distinguished himself," Mitokado Homura said slowly. "But that 'master' of his... His origins are unknown, and his power is uncanny. We can't afford to let our guard down."
"Let our guard down? How?" Utatane Koharu shook her head. "A shinobi of that caliber could have slaughtered half of Konoha last night if he'd meant us harm.
"But he saved Minato and Kushina and drove off the Raikage. At least for now, he seems well-disposed toward Konoha."
"Well-disposed?" Shimura Danzō sneered. "Those who aren't of our clan can never be trusted.
"That Zaraki Kenpachi, and this so-called 'Seireitei'—neither exists in our intelligence records.
"Uchiha Ryūha was trained by a shinobi of that caliber. The forces behind him may be far beyond anything we can imagine."
He looked at the Third Hokage, his voice low. "Hiruzen, I recommend placing Uchiha Ryūha under Root's surveillance. If necessary..."
"That's enough." The Third Hokage cut him off. His voice was calm, but carried unquestionable authority.
"Liuyu is a Konoha shinobi, a hero who saved the Jinchūriki and the future Hokage. He is not one of your 'if necessary' cases."
Shimura Danzō's expression darkened, but he said nothing more.
The Third Hokage turned to Uchiha Fugaku. "Fugaku, Liuyu is a member of your clan. What do you think?"
Uchiha Fugaku drew a deep breath and stood, bowing respectfully. "Lord Hokage, though Liuyu comes from a branch family, his talent, character, and achievements are plain for all to see.
"He has now performed another tremendous service.
"I believe he deserves a generous reward. It will also show the other young people that Konoha does not neglect anyone who sheds blood and gives their all for the village."
The Third Hokage nodded, then turned to Namikaze Minato, who had remained silent until now. "Minato, you were involved in this firsthand. Your opinion matters most."
Namikaze Minato stood and spoke solemnly. "Lord Hokage, I believe Liuyu is one of Konoha's hopes for the future.
"Not only is he powerful, but he is also upright and willing to stand up for his comrades and the village when it matters most.
"Without him last night, Kushina and I would surely have died, and the Nine-Tails might have fallen into Kumogakure's hands.
"Konoha must not fail to repay such a great debt."
The Third Hokage slowly exhaled, the smoke obscuring his face.
After a long pause, he snuffed out his pipe and said gravely, "Issue the following order."
Everyone in the office straightened.
"Uchiha Ryūha has distinguished himself in the Chunin Ninja Exams and set a new record for completing the Forest of Death, bringing honor to Konoha."
"During last night's Kumogakure raid, he remained calm in the face of danger, and his master drove off the Third Raikage.
"He safeguarded the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki and the future Fourth Hokage, turning the tide at a critical moment and earning outstanding merit."
"By decision of the village leadership, he is to be promoted ahead of schedule—"
The Third Hokage's voice rang through the office, clear and firm:
"Uchiha Ryūha is hereby promoted to the rank of Special Jonin of Konoha!"
"Effective immediately!"
Special Jonin!
An eleven-year-old Special Jonin!
One of the youngest Special Jonin since Konoha's founding!
Uchiha Fugaku clenched his fists, struggling to contain his excitement.
Namikaze Minato smiled from the heart.
Shimura Danzō's face turned ashen, but in the end he made no objection.
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura exchanged a glance, then slowly nodded.
"Additionally," the Third Hokage continued, "he is to be awarded three A-rank jutsu scrolls and granted one-time access to the outer section of the Scroll of Seals.
"His salary is to be raised to the Special Jonin rate, and he is to be assigned an independent squad and given mission authority."
He looked at Fugaku. "Fugaku, the Uchiha Clan will arrange Liuyu's promotion ceremony. It will be held in three days.
"I will personally place the Forehead Protector on him."
Fugaku bowed deeply. "Yes! Thank you, Lord Hokage!"
The news spread through Konoha like the wind.
"Have you heard? Uchiha Ryūha's been promoted to Special Jonin!"
"An eleven-year-old Special Jonin?! You've got to be kidding!"
"It's true! Lord Hokage issued the order himself! Apparently, he earned great merit in the Chunin Ninja Exams, and he also helped drive off Kumogakure's raid last night!"
"My goodness... He's rising faster than White Fang did back in the day, isn't he?"
"Faster? He's practically riding a rocket!"
The news was the talk of every street and alley.
At the center of the storm, Uchiha Ryūha stood beneath the eaves of his home.
He looked at the brand-new Special Jonin Forehead Protector in his hand, engraved with Konoha's symbol.
Sunlight fell on it, glinting with a cool sheen.
He pushed up his glasses, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
Special Jonin.
This was only the beginning.
Konoha's stage was set.
And his performance had only just begun.
Outside the window, the cherry blossoms were in full bloom.
A new legend was quietly being written.
Before you continue